A THIRD Conservative councillor in Aberdeenshire has defected to Reform UK, claiming the “party has left him” and that he “feels let down by so many broken promises”.
John Crawley, a councillor for Ellon, is the third Tory from the local authority to jump ship and join Nigel Farage’s party, the Press and Journal has reported.
Crawley’s defection follows former Aberdeenshire Tory leader Mark Findlater and ex-Tory colleague Laurie Carnie, who became the first council defections last year.
The long-time Tory member told the Press and Journal he decided to leave his former party due to a lack of “integrity and respect,” which are “core values” he holds.
Crawley said: “After much consideration, I am resigning from the Conservative and Unionist party with immediate effect.
“This decision comes in response to a continued lack of integrity and respect within the party, particularly locally and towards fellow councillors.
“These are core values I believe must guide anyone in public service and I can no longer remain aligned with a party that fails to uphold them.”
Crawley’s comments come after the Aberdeenshire Tory group was engulfed in infighting last week after council chief Gillian Owen branded fellow Conservative councillors “f***ing b****ds” in leaked WhatsApp messages.
Earlier this week, it was reported that Huntly Tory councillor Robbie Withey left the party in protest against a nursery’s closure.
Findlater and Carnie previously said the Tory infighting was a contributing factor as to why they joined Reform.
Meanwhile, Banchory councillor Ann Ross also quit the party last year over claims of “bullying”.
